New Ho Chi Minh City Airport: Long Thanh International Airport

Last Update: 28 July 2026

Vietnam has officially confirmed that Long Thanh International Airport will begin commercial operations on 1 December 2026, marking a major milestone in the country’s aviation development. The new airport will gradually become the primary international gateway for Ho Chi Minh City and Southern Vietnam, helping relieve congestion at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Long Thanh International Airport opening timeline

The transition from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Long Thanh International Airport will take place in several phases between December 2026 and March 2028.

During Phase 1, the airport will accommodate approximately 25 million passengers per year. Once future development phases are completed, Long Thanh is expected to reach a capacity of 100 million passengers annually, making it one of Southeast Asia’s largest aviation hubs.

International flights gradually moving to Long Thanh

According to the proposed transition plan:

• From 1 December 2026, Long Thanh International Airport will handle:
  • Long-haul international flights
  • All cargo flights
  • Newly launched international routes
  • Additional international frequencies serving the Ho Chi Minh City area
• From March 2027, most flights connecting Vietnam with Europe, the Americas, Oceania, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Central Asia are expected to transfer to Long Thanh.
• By the end of 2027, more than 90% of Ho Chi Minh City’s international passenger traffic is expected to operate through Long Thanh International Airport, while Tan Son Nhat will mainly serve domestic flights and selected short-haul international routes.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport will progressively focus on domestic services and a limited number of scheduled routes under 1,000 km operated by Vietnamese airlines. International services that do not fall within these criteria are expected to operate from Long Thanh, subject to the final allocation approved by the Vietnamese authorities. 

Improved access to Long Thanh International Airport

To support the airport’s opening, Vietnam is accelerating several major transport infrastructure projects, including:

• Expansion of the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh Expressway
• Completion of the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway
• Development of Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3
• A future metro/rail connection between Ho Chi Minh City and Long Thanh International Airport, designed to link both airports in approximately 30 minutes 

These projects are expected to improve accessibility for both travellers and tourism professionals.

What this means for travellers

Travellers flying to or from Ho Chi Minh City should expect a gradual transition as airlines move international services from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Long Thanh International Airport. During this period, airlines will continue operating from both airports depending on their routes and schedules.

Please note that the transition plan is based on the latest proposal submitted by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) and remains subject to approval by the relevant Vietnamese authorities. Flight schedules and airport allocations may change as the project progresses.

Last Update: 22 December 2025

Vietnam is preparing for a major milestone in its aviation development with the gradual opening of Long Thanh International Airport, the future main hub in the south of the country. This structural project aims to support the strong growth in international traffic and relieve congestion at the current Tan Son Nhat Airport.

Image source: Shigeru Ban Architect

A strategic project for Southern Vietnam

Located in Dong Nai Province, about 40 km east of Ho Chi Minh City, Long Thanh Airport has been designed to eventually become one of the largest air hubs in Southeast Asia. It will play a key role in the development of tourism, economic exchanges and Vietnam’s regional positioning.

Gradual commissioning

The project is planned in several phases:

• Phase 1: a first runway and passenger terminal, with an announced capacity of approximately 25 million passengers per year
• Ultimately: up to four runways and several terminals, with a total capacity of up to 100 million passengers per year

However, this gradual ramp-up will require a transition period between the current airport and the new site.

Accessibility and infrastructure

Several infrastructure projects are accompanying the development of Long Thanh:

• new motorways connecting Ho Chi Minh City to Dong Nai
• improvements to existing roads
• railway projects under consideration

The aim is to ensure controlled transfer times for passengers.

Points still to be clarified at this stage

To date, several operational details are still awaiting official confirmation:

• Exact opening date and when the airport will be fully operational for passengers
• Type of flights involved in the initial phases:
  • only international flights (arrivals/departures)?
  • or a combination of international and domestic flights?
• Air network concerned:
  • which routes will be transferred as a priority?
  • Which airlines will operate from Long Thanh, and according to what schedule?

Image source: Online Newspaper of the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

What this means for travellers and professionals

The opening of Long Thanh represents a major opportunity in the medium and long term, with positive prospects in terms of comfort, international connectivity and capacity.
However, the transition period will require clear and ongoing communication, both for travellers and business partners, as official announcements are made.

ASEV Travel is closely monitoring the progress of this project and will communicate any confirmed updates as soon as they become available.